Interim Management & Consulting: Helping Non-Profits and Museums Navigate Leadership Transition

Navigating the complexities of a major leadership transition can be a pivotal moment for non-profits and museums.

It's a time filled with uncertainty yet brimming with the potential for transformative growth and renewal. 

Understanding the unique challenges and opportunities this phase presents requires a nuanced approach, one that ensures the continuity of your mission while embracing change with strategic foresight.

That’s why I offer specialized Interim Management and Consulting Services tailored exclusively for non-profits and museums facing such critical junctures. 

When your organization is experiencing change, it's crucial to have a partner who grasps the intricacies of your business and brings a robust blend of empathy, expertise, and strategic acumen to the table.

Amy Shapiro sitting on the corner of a red couch.
Four hands holding each other's rists.

My role is to guide and support your organization…

…with a steady hand, ensuring operations run smoothly and efficiently, safeguarding (or rebuilding) staff morale, and facilitating transformative decisions that align with your core values and long-term vision. 

The goal is not just to navigate through this transition period but to harness it as an opportunity for growth, resilience, and stronger employee and community engagement.

By partnering with me, you're choosing a path of clarity and confidence through change. 

Let me help you turn a period of leadership transition into a catalyst for revitalization and renewed purpose.

I will ensure that your organization not only endures but thrives, emerging stronger and even more focused on its mission.

Crafting a Seamless Partnership

From refining daily operations to pinpointing the ideal executive role profile, I offer comprehensive Interim Management solutions and robust Consulting Services.

This goes beyond just filling a temporary role — it sets the stage for your future success. 

Partnering with me as your Interim CEO or Executive Director offers targeted support and fresh perspectives where needed. 

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Interim Management

Enhancing the way your organization operates and transitions is at the heart of my Interim Management services. 


What you can expect:

Operational Stewardship

I’ll handle everyday affairs, ensuring your day-to-day activities run smoothly and efficiently.

This will allow your team to focus on their core functions while ensuring that the organization's operations are under expert supervision.

Executive Recruitment Assistance

Drawing on my extensive experience, I’ll help you delineate the qualities and attributes your next executive should embody.

I'll use my insight to ensure you hire a candidate who fits the role and aligns with your organization's culture and values.

Transition Planning

Together, we'll design a robust, inclusive transition strategy for your new executive that facilitates a seamless handover, minimizes disruptions, and helps your new leader hit the ground running.

A room of people working at desks.

Organizational Assessment

My comprehensive review of your policies, programs, and overall structure will result in an extensive recommendations report highlighting strengths and identifying opportunities for improvement.

You’ll gain actionable insights to enhance efficiency, bolster programs, and implement best practices across your organization.

Optional Transition Coaching

Transitioning into a new role is always challenging, and one of the best ways to prepare your new leader for success is to pair them with a transition coach.

I’ll bring my background and training as an Executive Coach, plus my in-depth understanding of your organization.

Schedule an Exploratory Call to discover the benefits of my Interim Management offerings.

Following our initial conversation, I will craft a customized proposal to match your organization's distinct needs and goals.

What My Clients Are Saying

“Amy Shapiro served as Ryman Arts’ Interim Executive Director during our transition to a new Executive Director and met every expectation and then some. During that time, she made a solid and meaningful impact and remains a trusted and special friend to Ryman Arts’ new Executive Director, staff, and our entire Board of Directors. Can’t thank her enough.”

— David Price, Board President, Ryman Arts

Consulting

If Interim Management and Leadership isn't the solution you’re looking for, my Consulting services offer specialized support and strategic development to help refine and elevate your organization.


What you can expect:

Organizational Evaluation & Advice

Together, we’ll address specific projects or broader organizational concerns, from staff morale to budget optimization.

You’ll gain customized solutions that tackle your unique challenges head-on, leading to enhanced efficiency, morale, and financial health.

Non-Profit Expertise

Benefit from my wealth of experience spanning all aspects of non-profit management, including development, finance, governance, and more.

Tap into a deep reservoir of knowledge that can help you navigate the complex landscape of non-profit management, enhancing your organization's resilience and capacity for impact.

Additional Support Services

My suite of services addresses immediate needs, from board assessment and succession planning to professional staff development and leadership coaching.

It equips your team and leadership with the tools and skills necessary for long-term success and sustainability.

A team huddled around as desk looking at computer.

Fundraising Strategy Development

I will work with you to craft innovative fundraising strategies that resonate with your donors and align with your mission.

This will allow you to diversify your revenue sources, engage your community more effectively, and secure the financial resources necessary to propel your work forward.

Leadership Coaching

My coaching services are targeted at both top-tier executives and mid-level employees alike.

I firmly believe in holistic improvement and will facilitate personal and professional growth across all levels of your organization.

This will result in more confident decision-making, improved communication and collaboration, and stronger skill sets for all, driving your organization forward with competent, focused leadership.

Book an Exploratory Call today to learn more about my Consulting Services. 

After we connect, I’ll design a tailored proposal that perfectly aligns with your organization's unique needs and aspirations.

What My Clients Are Saying

“Working with Amy Shapiro as our Interim Director was a pleasure. Our leadership team was impressed with her attention to detail and found her to be an effective and adept manager. Amy is a thoughtful and generous mentor, taking the necessary time to understand issues and concerns.”

— Jan Cantwell, Director of Development, Young & Healthy 

Amy Shapiro standing in a white turtle neck.

Amy Shapiro: Steering Non-Profits & Museums to Success

Hello, I'm Amy Shapiro, your seasoned guide through the intricacies of non-profit and museum leadership. 

With two decades of dedicated service under my belt, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a nuanced understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that organizations like yours face.

Navigating staff dynamics, establishing clear protocols, balancing budgets, overcoming fundraising hurdles, and streamlining the hiring process are just a few of the areas where I excel. 

Through times of leadership shifts or significant transitions, I become your steadfast partner, helping to mute distractions and concentrate on the core issues, ensuring that your organization emerges more resilient and robust than ever. 

This commitment to your success is not just my profession — it's my passion.

What My Clients Are Saying

“Amy has been terrific throughout this process! Having her as an Interim ED made a big difference and truly helped transition staff from a beloved, long-standing ED to someone new in the role.”

— Audrey Salzburg, Incoming Executive Director, Ryman Arts

 
Amp Shapiro standing in front of white desk.
 

A Journey of Meaningful Transitions


Throughout my extensive career in the non-profit realm, including significant contributions to the museum sector, I've honed skills across a broad spectrum: administrative leadership, financial stewardship, dynamic fundraising, event orchestration, human resources, and board engagement.

My museum management expertise is comprehensive, covering retail, operations, security, and programming.

My leadership has influenced teams as intimate as 8 and as expansive as 200.

My professional path was shaped early on at P.S. ARTS, evolving from Development Assistant to Co-Executive Director, ultimately responsible for all fundraising and operations. 

Venturing into the children's museum sphere was a pivotal moment in my career, where I had the privilege of overseeing programming, operations and the visitor experience at the Zimmer Children's Museum. 

This was a crucial time for the museum, and I was fortunate to play a key role in enhancing its financial robustness.

My tenure was marked by spearheading initiatives that stabilized and revitalized the institution, laying the foundation for the launch of its next iteration, the Cayton Children’s Museum

A highlight of my career was launching a $16M capital campaign and then leading the design, development, and grand opening of a new children’s museum.

My journey then led me to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, where I was responsible for a $20M+ operating budget, leading the staff, and managing operations, retail, visitor experience, and security at both MOCA Grand and the Geffen Contemporary.

These roles taught me the critical impact of leadership on all aspects of an organization. 

My unique experiences, including once working under five executive directors in six years at the same organization, fuel my dedication to facilitating smooth transitions and setting a strong foundation for new leadership.

Bridging Gaps & Fostering Growth

As the principal at The Birdie Alliance, I blend executive coaching, consulting, and interim management to create transformative outcomes. 

My academic background, with an MPA in non-profit, public, and organizational management from the University of Southern California, complements my practical experience, enabling me to offer comprehensive support to your organization.

Portrait of Amy Shapiro.
Team standing around a table looking at computer.

Driven by Passion, Guided by Values

Every role I've embraced was chosen for its deep alignment with my core values — a belief in equity, fairness, and the transformative power of fostering environments where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. 

My leadership style is informed by a life-long commitment to mentorship and empowerment, inspired by the guidance I received early in my career.

Collaborating with me means gaining a partner who is experienced, skilled, and genuinely passionate about your mission. 

I look forward to embarking on this journey of change with you, ready to tackle challenges and seize opportunities together.

Let's craft a future where your organization thrives and amplifies its impact, creating lasting change in the community and beyond.

Commonly Asked Questions

Below, you'll find answers to the questions I often encounter regarding my consulting and interim management services. 

If you have a question that’s not covered here, please Contact Me, and I'll respond within two business days.

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  • Yes! In today's connected world, geographical location is no barrier.

    We have the flexibility to work remotely, leveraging various digital communication platforms to collaborate effectively and meet your needs.

    For instances that require a more hands-on approach, I am open to exploring on-site visits or even a temporary relocation arrangement, if necessary.

    We will tailor the collaboration method to ensure it aligns with your organization's objectives and demands.

  • My leadership philosophy is based on intuition and empathy.

    I strive to harmonize organizational objectives with the aspirations and well-being of its team members.

    Empowering and nurturing growth within a team is what I find most rewarding about being a leader.

  • Generally, flexible.

    I prioritize clear and advanced communication, ensuring you're well-informed about my availability from the outset.

    Should there be any periods where I'm unavailable, I'll notify you well in advance so we can plan our engagements accordingly and maintain a seamless workflow.

  • While I specialize in non-profits and museums, effective interim management and consulting principles and practices can benefit a wide range of organizations facing leadership transitions or requiring specialized guidance.

    To discuss how I can tailor services to meet your specific needs, please book a Discovery Call.

  • I generally operate on a retainer or a fixed project fee basis for consultancy projects.

    In the case of interim engagements, my fee aligns with the position's salary range, with an additional 20-25% premium to account for the benefits typically provided to full-time employees.

  • While interim assignments often range from 3 to 12 months, I tailor my availability according to each organization's unique needs.

    Flexibility to accommodate your organization's specific context and requirements is paramount.

  • The duration of interim assignments is flexible and tailored to match your organization's specific needs and requirements.

    Typically, these engagements range from 3 to 12 months, although this can be adjusted depending on the scope and needs of the project.

    To accommodate your organization, I offer both full-time and part-time interim solutions.

    This adaptability ensures that we can collaborate in the most effective manner to achieve your objectives.

  • Ensuring a seamless transition is a critical aspect of my services.

    During the final phase of the interim engagement, I provide comprehensive support and documentation to the incoming leadership.

    This includes detailed reports, strategic recommendations, and a structured handover process tailored to the organization's specific needs.

    This preparatory work ensures that new leadership has a strong foundation to build upon, minimizing disruptions and maintaining continued progress toward the organization's goals.

Amy Shapiro sitting with a beverage in front of a computer.

Let's Amplify Your Impact: Schedule an Exploratory Call Today

Organizations like yours are pivotal in shaping positive outcomes in communities nationwide. 

It would be my privilege to contribute to your mission, to be an agent of change, and to guide you through forthcoming transitions. 

Let's take the first step together.

I invite you to join me for an Exploratory Call. 

We’ll delve into your organization's specifics, so I can understand your unique needs and goals. 

I'm eager to learn more about your journey and explore how we can collaborate for a greater impact.